Public Liability: most councils require a minimum of £5M cover. Check your local authority's specific requirement — some want £10M for larger premises.

Care, Custody & Control is the policy that covers damage to animals in your care. Standard Public Liability often EXCLUDES animals — read the fine print. This is the most commonly missed policy type in kennels.

Employers Liability is a legal requirement if you have ANY employees, including part-time staff and apprentices. The minimum is £5M. Not having it is a criminal offence.

Keep scanned copies of every certificate, not just the current one. If a client makes a claim about an event from 2 years ago, you need the certificate that was active at that time.

Review cover amounts annually. If you've expanded — more kennels, more staff, higher-value dogs — your existing cover may be inadequate. Inform your broker of any material changes.

Cyber insurance is increasingly relevant if you store client payment details or personal data. A data breach affecting client addresses could be expensive without cover.

When comparing renewal quotes, don't just compare premiums. Compare excess amounts, cover exclusions, and whether the policy covers "animals in transit" if you offer collection/delivery.

Some breed-specific exclusions exist. Check whether your policy covers all breeds — some exclude "dangerous dogs" breeds, which could leave you exposed if you board a Staffie or XL Bully.